this is a presentation related to the health benefits of probiotics. probiotics can reduce colon cancer.

1. ANTICARCINOGENIC
PROPERTIES OF
PROBIOTICS
Debika Roy
Department of Dairy Microbiology
Faculty of Dairy Technology
WBUAFS

2. UNDERSTANDING THE
DEFINITIONS
 Prebiotic - (greek - before life) a substance
(usually an oligosaccharide) that cannot be
digested but does promote the growth of
beneficial bacteria or probiotics.
 Probiotic - (for life) a substance that
contains microorganisms or bacteria that
are beneficial to the host organism.
 Symbiotic - (plus life) a substance
containing both a prebiotic and probiotic.

3. WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS
Probiotic organisms are live
microorganisms thought to be beneficial to
the host organism. According to the
currently adopted definition by
FAO/WHO, probiotics are: "Live
microorganisms which when administered
in adequate amounts confer a health
benefit on the host". Lactic acid bacteria
(LAB) and bifidobacteria are the most
common types of microbes used as
probiotics; but certain yeasts and bacilli
may also be used.

4. PROBIOTICS
 ProbiMoticIs CcoRnsiOst OspeRcifiGc mAicNrobIiaSl cMultuSres and/ or
ingredients that stimulate gut micro flora capable of
modifying the gastrointestinal environment which
keeps the host healthy
• Lactic acid producing bacteria
 Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium
• Yeast
• Others
 Commercially available products may contain pure and
combined cultures of:
• Lactobacillus
• Bifidobacterium
• Streptococcus
• Pedicococcus
• Aspergillus
• Bacillus

5. PROBIOTICS HEALTH
BENEFITS
Elimination of lactose
intolerance
Anti-diarrheal
Immunomodulatory
Antidiabetic
Anticarcinogenic
Hypocholesterolemic
Antihypertensive

6. PROBIOTICS AND CANCER
 Colorectal cancer represents a major public
health problem accounting for over 1 million
cases and about half a million deaths worldwide .
Survival from colon cancer at 5 years has been
found to vary demographically and estimated to
be 65% in North America, 54% in Western
Europe, 34% in Eastern Europe, and 30% in
India.
 Although chemotherapy and radiotherapy have
been applied as the surgical adjuvant treatments
of colon cancer, they vary in success rates for
local recurrence, disease-free survival, and
overall survival . In addition, these treatments
may present some side effects such as an
increased risk for infections, hair loss, fatigue,
vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody stools.

7. PROBIOTICS AND CANCER
 Diet interventions and natural bioactive
supplements have now been extensively studied
to reduce the risks of colon cancer, as a cause of
prevention instead of cure. Postulated
mechanisms include reduction in the activity of
several cancer causing bacteria, desmutagenic
and anticarcinogenic properties.
 Prebiotics, being indigestible, have been
associated with improved bowel functions and
metabolisms of the distal colon, including a
reduced risk of colon cancer.

8. PROBIOTICS AND CANCER
 Enzymes (Glycosidase, B- glucuronidase ,
azoreductase , and nitroreductase ) of the intestinal
flora convert the precarcinogens to active
carcinogens
 Probiotics reduce:
 Faecal concentrations of enzymes
 Secondary bile salts
 Reduce absorption of harmful mutagens that may
contribute to colon carcinogenesis.

9. SOME PROPOSED MECHANISMS
 Several mechanisms have been proposed as to how
lactic acid bacteria may inhibit colon cancer:
 Enhancing the host’s immune response
 Altering the metabolic activity of the intestinal
microflora
 Binding and degrading carcinogens
 Producing antimutagenic compounds
 Altering the physiochemical conditions in the colon

10. RREESSEEAARRCCHH OONN CCAANNCCEERR
STILL EXPERIMENTAL
The strongest evidence for
the anti-cancer effects of
probiotics comes from animal
studies; evidence from human
studies (epidemiology and
experimental) is still limited.
An important goal for the
future should be carefully
designed human clinical
trials to corroborate the
wealth of experimental
studies.